Hair curling iron with winder

ABSTRACT

A curling iron that winds a lock of hair about a barrel includes a body that surrounds the barrel and forms a hair-receiving space accessed through an opening in the body. The opening includes a circumferential portion extending about a distal end of the barrel, and a slot extending axially from the circumferential portion toward a proximal end of the barrel. The slot portion is disposed at a longitudinal end of the curling iron for receiving a lock of hair that is elongated parallel to the slot portion and pushed in crosswise. A resilient finger mounted to the body projects and normally closes the slot portion and holds the lock of hair in the hair-receiving space. A gating coupling connects the barrel to the body and provides relative movement between the barrel and the body, between open and closed position, for inserting and releasing a lock of hair.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hair styling irons, particularly electrical appliances for hair curling, having a winder for winding up hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One class of hand-held electric hair irons has a winder that is driven to rotate, or to rotate relative to, a barrel onto which a lock of hair is thereby wound for curling, such as described in US20130025620 and WO2013186547. These prior art motorised curling irons have two jaws connected by a hinge so as to be moveable from an open position allowing the insertion of hair to a closed position to put the hair in contact with the heater and perform the curling treatment. The principal advantages of these appliances are the speed and ease with which they allow hair to be styled, however there is an on-going need for improvements in the performance of this class of hair iron, particularly with respect to ergonomics.

In the curling iron of FIG. 54 of WO2013186547 the first jaw carries the barrel, and a hair-receiving opening in a head surrounding the barrel has a slot portion parallel to the barrel is opened and closed by movement of the second jaw relative to the first jaw. Advantageously, this slot portion is too narrow to allow a user's fingers to into the heated chamber next to the barrel. However, ease of use is compromised by the second jaw blocking access to the slot portion, requiring hair to be fed along a complex path, firstly in a longitudinal direction, and then transversely into the slot portion. There is a risk that some strands of hair will not be retained in the slot portion and wound about the barrel, resulting in incomplete styling of lock of hair. The lack of symmetry or “handedness” of the appliance also means that it is not equally readily used both left- and right-handed. It would also be advantageous to have a simple and compact structure that can be manufactured for a lower cost. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages or, more generally, to provide an improved curling iron.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a curling iron comprising:

a body;

a barrel having a proximal end mounted within the body and an opposing distal end, the body surrounding the barrel and enclosing a hair-receiving space between the barrel and the body;

an element for heating hair in the hair-receiving space, and

an opening in the body, the opening comprising a circumferential portion extending about the distal end and a slot portion extending from the circumferential portion toward the proximal end, whereby opposing ends of a lock of hair passing through the hair-receiving space may extend from the circumferential portion and the slot portion.

Preferably the curling iron further comprises: a gating coupling connecting the barrel to the body to provide for relative movement between the barrel and the body between a closed position, in which the circumferential portion is closed to restrict movement of the lock of hair about the circumferential portion, and an open position, in which the circumferential portion is opened to allow a curled lock of hair to be withdrawn from the hair-receiving space.

Preferably the barrel substantially abuts the body in the closed position i.e. the barrel is very close to, or in abutment with, the body in the closed position. A portion proximate to the distal end of the barrel preferably substantially abuts the body in the closed position.

The gating coupling may allow sliding movement of the barrel with respect to the body. The sliding movement may be substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the barrel. The gating coupling may comprise an elongate guide fixed to one of the body and the barrel and a block slidingly engaged with the guide and fixed to the other of the body and the barrel.

The gating coupling may comprise a pivot allowing relative pivoting movement of the barrel with respect to the body. The pivot may have a pivot axis substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the barrel. The pivot axis may intersect the central axis.

The barrel may fixed to a handle of the curling iron, so that the gating coupling provides relative movement between the handle and the body.

Preferably an operating lever is fixed to the body, for sliding or pivoting the body relative to the handle. A switch may be actuated by movement of the operating lever for supplying power to a winder for winding the lock of hair about the barrel.

Preferably the curling iron further comprises a temperatures sensor for providing a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the element and a controller that receives the temperature signal and controls power supply to the element to maintain the element within i) a predefined standby temperature range and ii) a predefined operating temperature range higher than the standby temperature range, and further comprising a winder for winding the lock of hair about the barrel, and feedback means connected to the controller for indicating that the winder is in operation, when power is supplied to the curling iron the controller actuates the element to maintain the element in the standby temperature range and when the feedback means indicates that the winder is in operation, the controller actuates the element to maintain the element in the operating temperature range.

Optionally, the controller comprises a timer circuit and records an elapsed time from the activation of the feedback means that indicates that the winder is in operation, and after the elapsed time exceeds a predefined limit, the controller reverts to actuate the element to maintain the element in the standby temperature range.

Optionally, a rotary encoder is connected to the controller to indicate the angular displacement of the winder, and after a predefined angular displacement is exceeded, the controller reverts to actuate the element to maintain the element in the standby temperature range.

In another aspect, invention provides a curling iron comprising:

a body;

a barrel having a proximal end fixed within the body and an opposing distal end, the body surrounding the barrel and enclosing a hair-receiving space between the barrel and the body;

an element for heating hair in the hair-receiving space, and

an opening in the body, the opening comprising a circumferential portion extending about the distal end and a slot portion extending from the circumferential portion toward the proximal end, whereby opposing ends of a lock of hair passing through the hair-receiving space may extend from the circumferential portion and the slot portion;

an outer gate that closes the circumferential portion to restrict movement of the lock of hair about the circumferential portion, and that opens to allow a curled lock of hair to be withdrawn from the hair-receiving space;

inner gate means mounted to the body to hold the lock of hair in the hair-receiving space;

a winder for winding the lock of hair about the barrel, and

an operator pressed by a user to close the outer gate and actuate the winder.

Compared to inner gate means hingedly connected to the handle, mounting inner gate means to the body, allows them to be much smaller, while also better ensuring the lock of hair actually enters through the slot portion into the hair-receiving space and strands are not clamped against an outer surface of the body.

Preferably the inner gate means comprises at least one finger mounted to the body to project in a normally closed position, and which may be resiliently deflected to an open position by the user pushing the lock of hair past the at least one finger

The at least one finger may be elastomeric, and in particular, made entirely from a silicon elastomer. Alternatively, for instance, the finger may comprise a rigid projection held in a resilient base, or a like flexure hinge arrangement, whereby the finger is resiliently biased to its normally closed position.

Preferably the winder comprises a member mounted to rotate through the hair-receiving space substantially about an axis of the barrel for winding up the lock of hair and the at least one finger projects into a mouth of the slot portion proximate the winder member. The winder may comprise a hook, comb, or the like member for engaging the hair, that rotates (either separately from the barrel or together with the barrel) and which may also move axially during rotation so as to displace the hair axially as it is wound up. Preferably the winder comprises a member mounted to rotate relative to the barrel through the hair-receiving space substantially about an axis of the barrel, while simultaneously moving parallel to axis of the barrel.

Preferably a base of the at least one finger is mounted to a wall of the slot portion. Preferably the at least one finger tapers to narrow from the base to its tip. The finger may be strip-like, having a cross section that is elongated, for instance, elongated substantially parallel to the axis of the barrel.

Preferably the mouth is tapered in a transverse plane to narrow toward the barrel and toward a throat of the slot portion. Preferably the throat has cross-sectional dimensions that are substantially constant throughout its axial length, and a width of the throat in cross-section is substantially narrower than a length of the throat in cross-section. Preferably the mouth has reflective symmetry about a plane bisecting the slot portion. The mouth may have opposing convex surfaces. Preferably the at least one finger is, in its normally closed position, elongated generally perpendicular to an axis of the throat. Preferably the at least one finger does not project outside the slot portion. Preferably the slot is elongated axially, generally parallel to the axis of the barrel.

Optionally, the at least one finger may comprise a plurality of fingers. The fingers may be arranged in one of more linear arrays along the slot portion. The fingers may be all mounted on the same side of the slot portion, or on opposite sides. When on opposing sides of the slot portion the fingers may be aligned with one another, or else staggered. When staggered, the fingers may overlap lengthwise or be interdigitated.

Preferably the handle is elongate and an axis of the barrel lies in a longitudinal plane that bisects the slot portion and bisects the handle longitudinally. Preferably the longitudinal axis of the handle is approximately transverse to the axis of the barrel.

Preferably the hair-receiving space is bounded by substantially coaxial cylindrical walls of the barrel and the body. Preferably a ratio of the diameter of the cylindrical wall of the barrel to the diameter of the cylindrical wall of the body is between 2:3 and 6:7.

Preferably the element is provided in the barrel, and the barrel is made of thermal conductor, such as a metal. Preferably no heater is provided in the head. Preferably no clamp is provided for pressing the lock of hair against the barrel.

Preferably the outer gate opens and closes by sliding or pivoting. Optionally, a mechanism combining sliding and pivoting movement may be provided for moving the outer gate. Preferably the outer gate opens and closes by moving substantially transverse to the axis of the barrel. Preferably the outer gate closes the circumferential portion to restrict movement of the lock of hair to an area adjacent the slot portion.

Preferably the winder rotates substantially about an axis of the barrel. The winder may rotate relative to the barrel, or may rotate together with the barrel. Preferably the winder has a concave edge for abutting the lock of hair.

Preferably the operator is mounted to the handle. Preferably the operator is connected to the outer gate by a mechanism. Alternatively, the operator may control a sensor or switch of a control circuit to operate an electro-mechanical actuator to open or close the outer gate. The operator may be a lever operator, a slide button operator, or a rotary knob operator. The operator may control a sensor or switch of a control circuit to start a motor for rotating the winder.

Preferably the barrel is an assembly of two like half-cylindrical parts, each of which may enclose a respective heating element.

The invention provides a curling iron which is effective and efficient, and can be conveniently used both left- and right-handed, while reducing the risk that some strands of hair will not be retained in the slot portion and also offering a simple design which minimises manufacturing costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view from above of a curling iron according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2a is a part-sectional view of the head of the iron of FIG. 1, in which an outer wall of the head is shown cut away;

FIG. 2b is a transverse section through the barrel of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the head of the iron of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sections AA and CC, respectively, of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic longitudinal sections through the iron of FIG. 1, showing the upper gate open and closed respectively;

FIG. 7 is a part-sectional view of the head of a second embodiment of a curling iron of the invention, in which an outer wall of the head is shown cut away;

FIG. 8 is a part-sectional view of the head of a third embodiment of a curling iron of the invention, in which an outer wall of the head is shown cut away;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side views from opposing sides of a fourth embodiment of a curling iron of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an end view of a fifth embodiment of a curling iron of the invention in an open position;

FIG. 12 is a schematic section along plane AA of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13 and 14 correspond to FIGS. 11 and 12 respectively but show a closed position;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic cross sections of a sixth embodiment of a curling iron of the invention in open and closed positions respectively;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are schematic cross sections of a seventh embodiment of a curling iron of the invention in open and closed positions respectively;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are schematic cross sections of an eighth embodiment of a curling iron of the invention in open and closed positions respectively;

FIG. 21 is a schematic cross section of the curling iron of FIGS. 19 and 20 mounted to a handle, and

FIG. 22 is a schematic of a control circuit of a curling iron of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an electric appliance for hair styling, or a curling iron 1, has a body 10, 11 that generally comprises a handle 10 on which a head 11 is disposed. The body 10, 11 may be an assembly of parts, or the head 10 and handle 11 may be integrally formed, as by moulding from polymer. The handle 10 may be elongate and hollow with a longitudinal handle axis 12 and it may be fixed at one end to the head 11, with a mains power cable 14 extending from the opposite end. User controls 15 may be mounted to the handle 10, and may include a lever operator 13. A control circuit (not shown) may be mounted within the handle 10.

A barrel 16, about which a lock of hair 20 is wound in use, may be heated by internal elements 81. The barrel 16 is surrounded by the head 11 and has an axis 17, which may be aligned approximately transverse to the handle axis 12. An opening 18 in the head 11 is provided for the passage of the lock of hair, and comprises a circumferential portion 18 a (through which the barrel 16 is visible in FIG. 1) and that extends around the barrel 16, and a slot portion 18 b extending therefrom. A hair-receiving space 19 is provided between the head 11 and the barrel 16 and, in use, with a lock of hair 20 passing through the hair-receiving space 19 a root end 20 a extends from the circumferential portion 18 a and a tip 20 b of the lock of hair 20 may extend from the slot portion 18 b generally axially.

As shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3, a proximal end 16 a of the barrel 16 is fixed within the head 11 and the circumferential portion 18 a extends about an opposing distal end 16 b, so that the distal end 16 b is recessed inside the head 11. The cylindrical barrel 16 may be an assembly of two like half-cylindrical parts 80 fixed back-to-back as shown in FIG. 2b , each half enclosing a respective one of the heating elements 81. The head 11 is a substantially rigid part of the body assembly which may comprise double walls. The head 11 encloses the barrel 16 and other parts of the appliance, including a reversible gear motor 21 fixed near the proximal end 16 a. The gear motor 21 is part of a winder assembly for winding the lock of hair 20 about the barrel 16, and is connected to a winder hook 22 mounted to rotate about the axis 17 through the hair-receiving space 19 for hooking and rotating the hair, while simultaneously moving parallel to axis 17 to help form a helical curl.

The slot portion 18 b intersects with the circumferential portion 18 a to provide the only substantial opening in the head 11, and connecting the hair-receiving space 19 to the space surrounding the head. The slot portion 18 b may be elongated to extend generally axially from the circumferential portion 18 a toward the proximal end 16 a. The hair-receiving space 19 is closed at the proximal end 16 a and the circumferential portion 18 a and slot portion 18 b provide a passage through which the lock of hair may pass. The hair-receiving space 19 may be bounded by substantially coaxial walls, as by the cylindrical walls 24, 25 of the barrel 16 and the head 11 respectively, as illustrated.

An outer gate 27 opens and closes the circumferential portion 18 a of the opening 18, as by pivoting, and serves to restrict movement of the lock of hair 20 about the circumferential portion 18 a. It is sufficient that movement of the lock of hair 20 about the circumferential portion 18 a is restricted to prevent unwinding, and it is not necessary to clamp or grip the lock. FIG. 2a shows the outer gate 27 in its open position in which it is retracted from the circumferential portion 18 a within a hollow in the head 11 that is located between a wall 29 and the distal end 16 b. With the outer gate 27 open a curled lock of hair may freely be withdrawn from the hair-receiving space 19 through the circumferential portion 18 a. The outer gate 27 may move substantially transverse to the axis 17 from the open position shown, in which a hair-engaging surface 28 is retracted from the circumferential portion 18 a, to a closed position (best seen in FIG. 6b ) in which the hair-engaging surface 28 bounds a space adjacent to the slot portion 18 b, restricting movement of the lock of hair 20 to this space adjacent the slot portion 18 b.

A mechanism (described further below with respect to FIGS. 6a and 6b ) connects the lever operator 13 and outer gate 27, allowing the outer gate 27 to be closed by the user pressing the lever operator 13, and opened by a spring 76. After the outer gate 27 is closed, or substantially closed, the lever operator 13 may actuate a switch 70 in the control circuit to start the gear motor 21 and wind up the lock of hair 20.

FIG. 2a also illustrates an embodiment of fingers 30 that provide a low cost and very effective inner gate means that close the slot portion 18 b to hold the lock of hair 20 in the hair-receiving space 19. The fingers 30 are mounted to the head 11 to project from a wall of the slot portion 18 b and, in their normally closed position shown, substantially occlude the slot portion 18 b. The fingers 30 are preferably made from a silicon elastomer, and are configured to be resiliently deflected inwardly to an open position (not shown) by the user pushing the lock of hair 20 past them. The fingers 30 may be of like dimensions, tapering to narrow from their bases 31 to their tips 32. The fingers 30 may be arranged in a linear array, optionally integrally formed with a mounting strip 33 at their bases 31, with the mounting strip 33 being secured on a channel in the head 11 so that the array may be aligned substantially axially. Compared to gate means hingedly connected to the handle, fingers 30 mounted to the head 11, particularly in the slot portion 18 b, may be much smaller, while also better ensuring the lock of hair 20 actually enters through the slot portion 18 b into the hair-receiving space 19 and strands are not clamped against an outer surface of the head 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, all of the fingers 30 may be mounted on the same side of a mouth 35 of the slot portion 18 b that is tapered in a transverse plane to narrow toward the barrel 16, and toward a throat 36 of the slot portion 18 b. The mouth 35 may have reflective symmetry about a plane 37 bisecting the slot portion 36 along an axis of the throat 36. The throat 36 may be of substantially constant cross-sectional dimensions throughout its axial length, and the width 38 of the throat 36 is substantially narrower than its length 39 in a radial direction. The width 38 of the throat 36 is preferably less than 20% of the diameter of the cylindrical wall 24, and the ratio of the diameter of the cylindrical wall 24 of the barrel 16 to the diameter of the cylindrical wall 25 of the head 11 is preferably between 2:3 and 6:7. In the normally closed position, the fingers 30 are elongated generally perpendicular to the plane 37, and are retained within the slot portion 18 b.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the hair-receiving space 19 between the cylindrical walls 24, 25 is generally annular and the winder hook 22 is disposed near its innermost end. The winder hook 22 has two opposing concave edges 40, 41, one of which abuts and hooks the lock of hair 20, depending on the direction of rotation of the winder hook 22. The pitch circle swept by the winder hook 22 as it turns has a substantially larger diameter than the annular hair-receiving space 19 and extends adjacent to the fingers 30. In this way the swept path overlaps a substantial radial extent of the slot portion 18 b, ensuring that a lock of hair 20 that has been pushed past the fingers 30 will be caught by the winder hook 22. The displacement of the winder hook 22 parallel to axis 17 may be mechanically driven by its rotation, as by a screw thread (not shown).

These FIGS. 4 and 5 also best show the double-walled hollow construction of the head 11, in which the cylindrical wall 25 comprises the mouth of a generally cup-shaped inner wall 46 that is open at the circumferential portion 18 a and closed at its opposite end, and which is encompassed by an outer wall 47.

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate the operation of the outer gate 27, showing the outer gate 27 in its open position (FIG. 6a ) and its closed position (FIG. 6b ) where it projects to close the circumferential portion 18 a, with the hair-engaging surface 28 bounding the space adjacent to the slot portion 18 b. The lever operator 13 may be mounted by a transverse pivot 71 to the handle 10 for rotation between open and closed positions, with the pivot 71 disposed near one end of the lever operator 13. The lever operator 13 may include a button portion 72 projecting through an opening in the handle for actuation by the user, and an arm portion 73 extending into the head 11 to engage the outer gate 27. The outer gate 27 may be mounted to rotate on a transverse axle 74, and may further include a tongue 75 integral with the gate 27, with a roller 78 fixed at one end. One end of a spring 76 is fixed in one end of a recess 77 in the arm 73 and the opposite end of the spring 76 abuts the tongue 75, urging the roller 78 against the opposite end of the recess 77 when the outer gate is in its open position. Pressing the button portion 72 rotates the lever operator 13, pushing the roller 78 to move along the arm portion 73 from one end of the recess 77 to the other, thereby rotating the outer gate 27 simultaneously. Immediately before the closed position shown in FIG. 6b , the arm portion 73 abuts the start switch 70, providing a signal to the control circuit to start the winder.

These drawings also clearly show that the slot portion 18 b is disposed at a longitudinal end of the curling iron 1, as in an endmost face 52. This provides enhanced ergonomics, compared to having the slot portion 18 b providing an opening on the sides of the head 11, as the appliance can be more readily used in a like manner in the left and right hand. The slot portion 18 b may aligned such that the axis 17 of the barrel 16 lies in the longitudinal plane 37 that bisects the slot portion and bisects the handle longitudinally.

FIGS. 7 and 8, show second and third embodiments of the invention, distinguished from the hair curler 1 by the fingers 130, 230. The array of fingers need not extend along the axial length of the slot portion 18 b and, for instance, fingers 130 (individually of like form to the fingers 30) may be disposed in a shorter array proximate the winder member 22 at the inner end of the slot portion 18 b. The fingers need not have rotational symmetry about their long axes and, for instance, may have a strip-like form like the fingers 230. The fingers 230 have the form of an oblong or strip in cross section. The strip may be generally axially aligned. The fingers 230 may be fixed near the inner end of the slot portion 18 b on opposite sides of the slot portion 18 b, staggered axially and overlapping one another longitudinally such that both would be need to be deflected by a lock of hair 20 pressed transverse to the lock into the slot portion.

A fourth embodiment of the hair iron 401 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and is of generally like construction to the first embodiment, although differing in the external form of the outer wall 447 of the head 411. The head 411 tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal end of the hair iron 401. The lever operator 413 is also elongated along the handle 410. Opposing sides of the mouth 435 have convex surfaces 50.

In use, when the barrel 16 is up to temperature the appliance is located toward the root end 20 a of a lock of hair 20, so that the axis 17 is approximately aligned lengthwise with the lock of hair 20, which is then inserted into the slot portion 18 b by a generally transverse relative movement. The lock is pressed against the fingers 30, 130, 230, bending them inwards and allowing the lock past, before the fingers are restored to their normal position, in which they retain the lock 20 in the slot portion 18 b. With the root end 20 a extending from the circumferential portion 18 a the user presses the operator 13, and a first part of the displacement of the lever operator 13 moves the outer gate 27 to its closed position, restraining the root end 20 a. A second part of the movement of the lever operator 13 may actuate the start switch 70, starting the gear motor 21 to turn the winder hook 22 in a direction selected by the user controls 15 for a predefined number of turns. As the lock 20 is wound about the barrel 16 the free tip 20 b is drawn into the hair-receiving space 19. The control circuit measures an elapsed time starting from actuation of the start switch 70 and operates an alarm to indicate when the curling is completed, whereupon the user releases the lever operator 13 and the spring restores the lever operator 13 to an extended position and the outer gate 27 to its open position. With the outer gate 27 retracted, the lock of hair, now curled into a generally helical form, can be readily removed through the open circumferential portion 18 a without being deformed.

Further embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 11-21, and differ from the preceding embodiments in respect of the outer gate means provided to open and close the circumferential portion 18 a of the opening 18. The outer gate means may be provided, for instance, by a gating coupling 90, 91 connecting the barrel 16 and the body 10 for movement relative to one another, thus avoiding the need for a separate gate to perform this function.

Referring to FIGS. 11-16, the gating coupling 90, 91 may allow sliding movement of the barrel 16 with respect to the body 10. The gating coupling may comprise a linear guide 90, formed in the body 10 and elongated generally orthogonal to the axis 17 of the barrel 16, the guide 90 receiving a sliding block 91 that houses the gear motor 21. The barrel 16 is mounted to this gear motor housing or sliding block 91 to reciprocate thererewith. In preferred embodiments, the barrel 16 is fixed to the handle (not shown in FIGS. 11-14, see FIG. 21) and, in this manner, the body 10 may be mounted to the handle so as to allow the body to slide back and forth transversely to the axis 17 between open and closed positions. The open position is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and shows that the barrel 16 may be disposed generally coaxially with the internal cylindrical wall 25 of the body 10 that surrounds it, so as to form the annular hair-receiving space 19. In this open position, a lock of hair can be entered through the opening 18 into the hair-receiving space 19 and, once formatted into a generally helical coil, it can slide axially out from the hair-receiving space. In the closed position (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) the barrel 16 is disposed eccentrically, after being displaced along the guide 90, transverse to the axis 17. In this closed position, the distal end 16 b may be disposed closely adjacent to, or in abutment with, the inner cylindrical surface 25 and providing contact along an axial line at a pinch point 92. The pinch point 92 is shown located at about 90° from the slot portion 18 b, but may generally be located at any angular position around the internal wall surrounding the barrel. In this manner, the circumferential portion 18 a is closed to restrict movement of the lock of hair in the circumferential portion past the pinch point 92. One or more springs (not shown) may act between the barrel and body, to bias them to the open position.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an embodiment in which the circumferential portion 18 a is opened and closed by transverse sliding movement of the barrel 116 inside the body 110. In this curling iron the body 110 may be fixed to a handle (not shown). The hair-receiving space 119 may be symmetrical about the axis 17 and taper to narrow in the axial direction toward the distal end 116 b. The distal end 116 may be domed, as by a hemispherical surface 94 which may extend from the body 110. The hemispherical surface 94 may be disposed, in the closed position (see FIG. 16), closely adjacent to, or in abutment with, a complementary inner surface 95 having a like radius of curvature as the hemispherical surface 94. In this manner, line contact may be also provided along a curved line at pinch point 92.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate embodiments in which a pivot 97 having an axis transverse to the axis 17 of the barrel serves to provide the gating coupling that connects the barrel and body to turn relative to one another. The pivot axis may be offset to one side of the axis 17 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) or may be disposed centrally to intersect the axis 17 (see FIGS. 19 and 20). A torsion spring (not shown) may act between the barrel and body, to urge them to the open position, as shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 21 illustrates how the barrel 116 may fixed by a pivot 97 to one end of an elongate handle 111 of the curling iron, so that the body 310 pivots relative to the handle 111. A lever operator 113 fixed to the body 310 may extend adjacent to the handle 11 so that it can be readily operated, as by the user's thumb, for pivoting the body 310. A start switch 170, such as a microswitch, may be actuated by movement of the lever operator 113 for supplying power to a winder 101 for winding the lock of hair 20 about the barrel 116.

As shown in FIG. 22, a control circuit 105 of the curling iron controls the supply of power from a power supply 106 to a motor 107 and the heating elements 81. The gear motor 121 turns the winder 101 to wind the lock around the barrel 116. A temperature sensor 109 provides a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the element 81 and a controller 108 receives the temperature signal and controls power supply to the element 81, according a value preset by the user via the temperature control 111. Depending upon the mode of operation, the controller 108 maintains the element 81 either within i) a predefined standby temperature range or ii) within a predefined operating temperature range higher than the standby temperature range, as by 5° C. Feedback means in the form of a rotary encoder 110 is connected to the controller for indicating that the winder motor 121 is in operation, and provides an indication of the angle through which the winder 101 has been turned.

Referring to FIGS. 19-22, in use, after supplying power to the control circuit, the user may select one of a plurality of predefined standby temperature ranges as required according to the operation to be performed. Thereafter, the controller 108 supplies power to the element 81 to maintain the element 81 within the standby temperature range selected. When the barrel 116 is up to temperature the appliance is located toward the root end 20 a of a lock of hair 20, so that the axis 17 is approximately aligned lengthwise with the lock of hair 20, which is then inserted into the slot portion 18 b by a generally transverse relative movement. With the root end 20 a extending from the circumferential portion 18 a the user presses the operator 113, and the displacement of the lever operator 113 moves the body 310 to its closed position, restraining the root end 20 a, as by clamping between the surfaces 94, 95, although it is not important that that the hair be clamped in this way. Continued movement of the lever operator 113 may actuate the start switch 170, starting the gear motor 121 to turn the winder hook 22 in a direction selected by the user controls

When the rotary encoder 110 indicates that the winder motor 121 is turning, the controller 108 boosts power to the element 81 and maintains the element in the higher operating temperature range. The control circuit measures an elapsed time starting from actuation of the start switch 170 and after a predefined elapsed time or after a predefined angular displacement is exceeded (as determined from the rotary encoder 110), the controller 108 lowers the power level to the element 81 and reverts to actuate the element to maintain the element 81 in the selected standby temperature range. The controller 108 may operate an alarm to indicate when the curling is completed, whereupon the user releases the lever operator 113 and a spring restores the lever operator 113 to an extended position and the body 310 to its open position. With the barrel 116 disposed centrally in the hair-receiving space, the lock of hair, now curled into a generally helical form, can be readily removed through the open circumferential portion 18 a without being deformed.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof. 

1. A curling iron comprising: a body; a barrel having a proximal end mounted within the body and an opposing distal end, wherein the body surrounds the barrel and encloses a hair-receiving space between the barrel and the body; an element for heating hair in the hair-receiving space, and an opening in the body, wherein the opening comprises a circumferential portion extending about the distal end, and a slot portion extending from the circumferential portion toward the proximal end, wherein the circumferential portion and the slot are arranged so that opposing ends of a lock of hair passing through the hair-receiving space may extend from the circumferential portion and the slot portion.
 2. The curling iron of claim 1 further comprising a gating coupling connecting the barrel to the body and providing relative movement between the barrel and the body, between a closed position, in which the circumferential portion is closed and restricts movement of the lock of hair about the circumferential portion, and an open position, in which the circumferential portion is open for withdrawing a curled lock of hair from the hair-receiving space.
 3. The curling iron of claim 2, wherein the barrel substantially abuts the body in the closed position.
 4. The curling iron of claim 2, wherein a portion of the barrel proximate to the distal end substantially abuts the body in the closed position.
 5. The curling iron of claim 2, wherein the gating coupling provides for sliding movement of the barrel with respect to the body.
 6. The curling iron of claim 5, wherein the body has a central axis and the sliding movement is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the barrel.
 7. The curling iron of claim 5, wherein the gating coupling comprises an elongate guide fixed to one of the body and the barrel, and a block slidingly engaged with the elongate guide and fixed to the one of the body and the barrel to which the elongate guide is not fixed.
 8. The curling iron of claim 2, wherein the gating coupling comprises a pivot providing relative pivoting movement of the barrel with respect to the body.
 9. The curling iron of claim 8, wherein the barrel has a central axis and the pivot has a pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the barrel.
 10. The curling iron of claim 9, wherein the pivot axis intersects the central axis of the barrel.
 11. The curling iron of claim 8, wherein the curling iron includes a handle, the barrel is fixed to the handle of the curling iron, and the gating coupling provides relative movement between the handle and the body.
 12. The curling iron of claim 2, further comprising a handle, and an operating lever fixed to the body, for sliding or pivoting the body relative to the handle.
 13. The curling iron of claim 12, further comprising a winder for winding the lock of hair about the barrel, and a switch, actuated by movement of the operating lever, for supplying power to the winder.
 14. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a temperatures sensor for providing a temperature signal indicative of temperature of the element, a controller that receives the temperature signal and controls power supplied to the element to maintain the element within one of i) a predefined standby temperature range, and ii) a predefined operating temperature range that is higher than the standby temperature range, a winder for winding the lock of hair about the barrel, and feedback means connected to the controller for indicating that the winder is in operation, wherein when power is supplied to the curling iron, the controller actuates the element to maintain the element in the standby temperature range, and when the feedback means indicates that the winder is in operation, the controller actuates the element to maintain the element in the operating temperature range.
 15. The curling iron of claim 14, wherein the controller comprises a timer circuit that records an elapsed time from activation of the feedback means, which indicates that the winder is in operation, and, after the elapsed time exceeds a predefined limit, the controller reverts to actuate the element to maintain the element in the standby temperature range.
 16. The curling iron of claim 14, further comprising a rotary encoder connected to the controller and that indicates angular displacement of the winder, and, after a predefined angular displacement is exceeded, the controller reverts to actuate the element to maintain the element in the standby temperature range.
 17. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising: an outer gate that closes the circumferential portion and restricts movement of the lock of hair about the circumferential portion, and that opens and for withdrawal of a curled lock of hair from the hair-receiving space; inner gate means mounted to the body and holding the lock of hair in the hair-receiving space; a winder for winding the lock of hair about the barrel, and an operator that, when pressed by a user closes the outer gate and actuates the winder.
 18. The curling iron of claim 17, wherein the inner gate means comprises at least one finger mounted to the body and projecting in a normally closed position, and which may be resiliently deflected to an open position by the user pushing the lock of hair past the at least one finger.
 19. The curling iron of claim 18, wherein the at least one finger is elastomeric.
 20. The curling iron of claim 17, wherein the slot portion includes a mouth and the at least one finger projects into the mouth of the slot portion, proximate the winder.
 21. The curling iron of claim 20, wherein the at least one finger includes a base, the slot portion includes a wall, and the base is mounted to the wall of the slot portion.
 22. The curling iron of claim 21, wherein the at least one finger tapers from the base to a tip and narrows from the base to the tip.
 23. The curling iron of claim 21, wherein the slot portion has a throat, and the mouth is tapered in a transverse plane and narrows toward the barrel and toward the throat of the slot portion.
 24. The curling iron of claim 23, wherein the throat has cross-sectional dimensions that are substantially constant throughout axial length or the throat, and a width, in cross-section, that is substantially narrower than length of the throat, in cross-section.
 25. The curling iron of claim 23, wherein the at least one finger comprises a plurality of fingers disposed in a linear array along the slot portion.
 26. The curling iron of claim 25, wherein the fingers project from opposite sides of the slot portion.
 27. The curling iron of claim 26, wherein the fingers on opposite sides are staggered and overlap one another, lengthwise.
 28. The curling iron of claim 17, wherein the body further comprises a head, and a handle fixed to the head, the head surrounds the barrel and encloses the hair-receiving space between the barrel and the head, and the proximal end of the barrel is fixed within the head.
 29. The curling iron of claim 28, wherein the handle is elongate, an axis of the barrel lies in a longitudinal plane, and a longitudinal plane bisects the slot portion and bisects the handle longitudinally.
 30. The curling iron of claim 28, further comprising a mechanical linkage, wherein the operator is mounted to the handle and connected to the outer gate by the mechanical linkage.
 31. The curling iron of claim 14, wherein the body and the barrel have respective substantially coaxial cylindrical walls, the hair-receiving space is bounded by the substantially coaxial cylindrical walls of the barrel and of the body, and ratio of diameters of the cylindrical wall of the barrel to the cylindrical wall of the body is between 2:3 and 6:7.
 32. The curling iron of claim 17, wherein the barrel has a longitudinal axis and the outer gate opens and closes by sliding or pivoting substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the barrel.
 33. The curling iron of claim 14, wherein the barrel includes two like half-cylindrical parts that are assembled to each other.
 34. The curling iron of claim 33, wherein each of the half-cylindrical parts encloses a respective element for heating hair.
 35. The curling iron of claim 14, wherein the winder comprises a member that rotates relative to the barrel, through the hair-receiving space, substantially about an axis of the barrel, while simultaneously moving parallel to the axis of the barrel. 